Top prospect has goal of making major league roster

"I'm the kind of guy who plays with a lot of instinct and a lot of fire," the Rockies' third-base prospect said. "I think those are good things."

Arenado's goal this spring is simple.

"I want to make the big-league club," he said. "But I can't think about that. I can't let that get in the way. Besides, it's way too early to talk about that."

Maybe so, but Arenado has the kind of talent that draws attention. In the Rockies' 4-3 Cactus League victory over the Reds on Thursday, Arenado blasted a run-scoring double in the fourth inning, then started a 5-4-3 triple play in the fifth. His smile was wide, his passion for the game evident when he pumped his fist after the triple play.

"I'm having more fun this year and I feel a lot more comfortable," said Arenado, who is 3-for-8, including a home run.

Early projections are that Arenado, who turns 22 on April 16, will open the season at Triple-A Colorado Springs. The Rockies have Chris Nelson, DJ LeMahieu and Jordan Pacheco lined up at third base in front of Arenado, but that doesn't mean management isn't keeping a close eye on Arenado.

"He's already made an impression with a lot of people in our organization that have been around him," said first-year Rockies manager Walt Weiss. "He's put himself in a nice position. He's shown that he can play. I wasn't around him last spring, but it looks to me like he's slowing the game down and his ability is showing up.

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To put it bluntly, 2012 was a humbling experience for Arenado. After leading the minor leagues in RBIs and earning Arizona Fall League MVP honors in 2011, expectations were sky high. Hailed as the Rockies' top prospect, he fell far short of expectations. He spent the entire season with Double-A Tulsa, hitting .285 with 12 home runs and 56 RBIs in 134 games.

Moments of brilliance were mixed with mental lapses during games. When he jogged up the first-base line on groundballs a couple of times, it was evident to the Rockies that Arenado wasn't ready for the big leagues.

In late June, during a conference call with season-ticket holders, general manager Dan O'Dowd was asked about Arenado's chances of getting called up. O'Dowd answered candidly, saying Arenado's "maturity level still hasn't caught up with his ability level." When Arenado slumped and hit .165 in July, his chances of making the majors at age 21 evaporated.

"I think sometimes I let my frustration get in the way. I showed it too much," Arenado said. "I think that's what Dan meant. In fact, I know that's what he meant. That's something I'm working on. I love this game so much and I want to do so well, sometimes I let my emotions get in the way."

Arenado seemed to find his way toward the end of last season, hitting .366 with four home runs and 13 doubles in his final 30 regular-season games.

"I think I'm in a better place now," he said. "I'm always going to play with that fire, but I'm learning how to be a more patient player."

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